We’ve rounded up some of the best summer dinner ideas around! If you’re looking for inspiration for fresh and flavorful summer recipes we have you covered.
We have all kinds of summer dinner recipes – summer salad recipes, chicken recipes, summer squash recipes, crockpot recipes, summer soup recipes and more.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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How we Picked these Summer Recipes
Summer dinners should be full of fresh ingredients, easy to make and fun for families and gatherings. For this roundup we chose delicious, healthy recipes that fit one or more of the following:
- Focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients
- One pan or quick prep meals
- Crockpot meals (Instant pot too)
- Easy grilling recipes
- Family friendly dishes
Summer Grilling Ideas
What says summer dinner more than BBQ’d anything? We use our grill all summer long and these delicious recipes are perfect for any hot, summer day.
1
Healthy Grilled Pineapple Chicken
This recipe for healthy grilled pineapple chicken thighs is a summer staple! With a simple pineapple marinade, this easy grilled chicken is a crowd pleaser.
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2
Quick and Easy Carne Asada Recipe
A simple marinade makes this quick and easy carne asada recipe as authentic tasting as it gets! You'll love the smoky citrus notes from the fresh marinade.
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3
Greek Turkey Burgers (Paleo + Whole30)
These Paleo + Whole30 Greek turkey burgers are perfect for grilling, and you'll love the fresh and creamy, dairy-free tzatziki sauce that goes with!
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4
Grilled Teriyaki Salmon Bowls (Paleo + Whole30)
These grilled teriyaki salmon bowls are Paleo and Whole30, made gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and refined sugar-free. An easy and healthy summer dinner!
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5
Crispy Grilled Chicken Drumsticks (Simple Seasonings, BIG Flavor)
With a simple and flavorful seasoning rub, these easy grilled chicken drumsticks are sure to be a hit at your next BBQ. Crispy skin on the outside with the best salty, smoky and juicy flavor!
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Summer Salad Recipes
With so many fresh vegetables, summer is the best time to make salads for dinner. Feel free to loosely follow these recipes and use any summer vegetables you have on hand.
6
Burger Salad With Pesto (Paleo + Whole30)
Quick, easy and real tasty, this burger salad with pesto is the best way to eat a clean and satisfying Paleo + Whole30 lunch or dinner! It is also one of our favorite ways to meal prep. You’re really going to enjoy the dairy-free pesto with this Paleo + Whole30 burger salad.
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7
Healthy Egg Salad (No Mayo)
This healthy egg salad an easy and versatile recipe. There's no mayo in the ingredients but it's still creamy and delicious! Perfect for sandwiches, wraps and salads!
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8
Keto Big Mac Salad
This easy low carb Big Mac salad recipe is a healthy and filling salad that's ready in about 20 minutes. Skip the bun and enjoy the flavors of your favorite cheeseburger in a salad!
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9
Beef Shawarma Bowl (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
This Paleo, Whole30 + Keto beef shawarma bowl is uniquely flavored and full of all the goods – seasoned beef, spinach, cauliflower rice, cucumbers, red onion and tomatoes all topped with a creamy, dairy-free tzatziki sauce!
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10
Homemade Keto Chicken Salad Recipe
This low-carb, keto-friendly chicken salad recipe uses chicken breast, 1/2 cup of avocado oil mayo, plus bacon and olives. Ready in 15 min!
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Check out more Healthy Summer Salad Recipes or go back to the Table of Contents
Summer Chicken Recipes
Chicken cooks quickly and pairs with just about anything so it’s perfect for summer. Throw some breasts or thighs in one of these easy homemade marinade recipes or follow one of the recipes below.
11
Chicken Burrito Bowl (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
This Paleo, Whole30 + Keto chicken burrito bowl is likely to become a weekly staple and the leftovers are just as good as the day you make it, maybe better!
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12
Healthy Oven-Baked Chicken Caprese
Healthy oven-baked chicken caprese – easy Keto chicken dinner with Paleo + Whole30 options. Use chicken breast or thighs, buffalo mozzarella + dairy-free pesto.
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13
Chicken Fajita Bake (Paleo + Whole30)
We are huge fans of tacos, fajitas and pretty much anything with Mexican flavors! And of course we love simple, quick and easy meals. So, this Paleo and Whole30 chicken fajita bake is basically where all the things collide! You’ll love this flavor-packed Paleo and Whole30 sheet pan meal that’s ready in just 35 minutes!
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14
Healthy Cashew Chicken (Paleo + Whole30)
This Paleo + Whole30 cashew chicken is ready in 30 minutes! This healthy stir fry is light, super satisfying and even easy to make for a weeknight dinner!
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15
Skillet Chicken Thighs with Mustard Cream Sauce (No Dairy)
This skillet mustard chicken recipe is coated in a creamy, comforting, dairy-free mustard sauce. Made with chicken thighs and savory bacon bits.
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Summer Squash Recipes
If you have a garden and grow zucchini or any other kind of summer squash, you know how to get creative and use up this summer staple. Here are some fun new ways to enjoy summer squash for dinner.
16
Healthy Ramen Noodles In A Jar (Paleo + Whole30)
Meal prep never tasted so good! This Paleo + Whole30 ramen noodles in a jar recipe is the perfect way to prep healthy lunches for the work or school week!
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17
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (Paleo + Whole30)
A healthy dish that will satisfy your creamy pasta craving, this Paleo + Whole30 roasted red pepper "pasta" is a recipe you can enjoy without the guilt.
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18
Zucchini Pizza Boats (Paleo, Keto + Whole30 Options)
These Paleo, Keto + Whole30 zucchini pizza boats are a quick 30 minute meal! The whole family will love this healthy weeknight dinner recipe!
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19
Paleo Asian Meatballs Noodle Bowl (GF, Dairy-Free + Refined Sugar Free)
Bowls and meatballs are pretty much always a good idea, so we created this Paleo Asian meatballs noodle bowl recipe. You will love this simple and clean combo for an easy dinner or meal prep lunches.
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20
Easy Zucchini Casserole (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
This simple and healthy casserole is great for a busy weeknight and for making leftovers.
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Summer Crockpot Recipes
Sometimes in the summer you don’t feel like grilling, turning on the oven or even cooking at all. That’s where these easy slow cooker recipes come in.
Just add all the ingredients in the morning and you’ll have an easy dinner ready later. Most of these recipes include Instant Pot instructions also if you’re looking to cook even faster.
21
Tender, Juicy Beef Barbacoa (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)
Simmered in citrus juices and the perfect blend of spices, this smoky and tender shredded beef barbacoa is the ultimate barbacoa recipe! Make it in your slow cooker or Instant pot.
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22
Easy Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken
Fall off the bone chicken thighs slathered with Jamaican jerk seasoning and sauce, all in the slow cooker! Authentic tasting easy slow cooker jerk chicken.
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23
Easiest Ever Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (Keto + Whole30)
The easiest and juiciest slow cooker pulled pork takes only 5 minutes of prep time and then you set it and forget it in the crockpot! Great for serving a crowd or for meal prep, this recipe fits any diet because it's keto, gluten-free, whole30 and Paleo. It's seriously the best pulled pork recipe!
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24
Mexican Shredded Beef (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
Juicy, rich and flavorful, this Paleo, Whole30 + Keto Mexican shredded beef is easy to make in an Instant Pot or slow cooker. Perfect for meal prep too!
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25
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken (Paleo + Whole30)
This Paleo + Whole30 slow cooker teriyaki chicken is an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep recipe. This healthy teriyaki chicken recipe is sure to be a new favorite and something you add to you regular rotation as an easy dinner the whole family loves!
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See more Healthy Crockpot Recipes or go back to the Table of Contents
Summer Soup Recipes
Fall and winter aren’t the only time for soup. Perfect for batch cooking and meal prep, these summer friendly recipes focus on seasonal ingredients and show you that a good soup is an option for any time of the year.
26
Carrot Ginger Soup (Vegan, Paleo + Whole30) Instant Pot
This Vegan, Paleo + Whole30 carrot ginger soup is made with coconut milk, carrots, ginger and some seasonings and topped with a dairy-free tzatziki sauce.
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27
Crockpot Lasagna Soup (Paleo + Whole30)
This Paleo + Whole30 crockpot lasagna soup takes just 10 minutes to get everything prepped and in your crockpot or instant pot and is a great family dinner!
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28
Chicken Coconut Curry Soup (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
This Thai inspired chicken coconut curry soup is packed with vegetables and a creamy, savory curry broth. It's a Paleo, Whole30 and low carb soup too!
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29
Turkey and Summer Vegetable Soup (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
The abundance of summer produce inspired this Paleo and Whole30 turkey and summer vegetable soup. It’s the perfect way to use up your garden fresh veggies!
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30
Paleo Tomato Basil Soup with Sausage (Whole30)
This Whole30 Paleo tomato basil soup with sausage is a bit of a spicier twist on traditional tomato soup with added protein and is quick and easy to make!
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See more Healthy Soup Recipes or go back to the Table of Contents
Summer Ground Beef Recipes
Ground beef always offers a quick and easy dinner option – perfect for summer. From burgers to bowls to tacos and pizza, use this versatile protein for a variety of summer dinners.
31
Healthy 20-Minute Korean Beef Bowl
This delicious Korean beef bowl is ready in around 20 minutes and is a family-friendly meal. Made with ground beef, serve it with either white rice or cauliflower rice for a fast gluten-free dinner, and the leftovers make great lunches too!
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32
Loaded Bunless Burger (Low-Carb Lettuce Burger)
This bunless burger recipe is Paleo, Whole30 + Keto with an amazing special sauce! Satisfy your low-carb burger craving today with this lettuce burger.
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33
Instant Pot Sloppy Joe’s (Paleo + Whole30)
These Paleo + Whole30 Instant Pot sloppy joe’s are great for meal prep, flavorful, versatile and an easy recipe the whole family will love!
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34
Low-Carb Ground Beef Taco Salad Bowl
This healthy ground beef taco bowl is packed with zesty flavors and fresh vegetables! Made with cauliflower rice, it's Paleo and Whole30 friendly.
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35
Meatza (Easy 10-Minute Prep Recipe)
Meatza – a low carb pizza recipe where the crust is made from just meat! A rich and filling pizza topped with cheese, olives and peppers.
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Summer Cocktails
A refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) is a staple of summer. Add some booze to any of these fresh summer beverages or keep them virgin. Whatever you choose, enjoy these summer drinks with any of the delicious dinner recipes in this roundup!
36
CBD Infused Watermelon Cucumber Mojito Mocktail
The sun is coming out, the days are getting longer. Why not make a mocktail to help you unwind – our CBD infused watermelon mojito mocktail!
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37
Lemon & Rosemary Cocktail
This Lemon & Rosemary Cocktail features an infused rosemary simple syrup made with raw honey. It’s a light and refreshing summer cocktail!
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38
Strawberry Basil Watermelon Agua Fresca (Refined Sugar-Free)
Squelch the summer heat with these strawberry basil watermelon agua fresca beverages. They are refined sugar-free and ready for sipping in five minutes.
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39
Piña Colada Smoothie (Paleo, Dairy-Free + Refined Sugar-Free)
Summer is calling, and this Paleo, dairy-free and refined sugar-free piña colada smoothie is just the thing to get you in the right mindset! It’s the perfect summer beverage, so kick your feet up and enjoy the vacation beverage vibes with this refreshing piña colada smoothie!
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40+ Flavorful, Easy Summer Dinner Ideas: Chicken Alfredo
This healthy and flavorful creamy chicken alfredo is an easy summer dinner the whole family will love! Plus, we have 40 other summer dinner ideas – summer salad recipes, chicken recipes, summer squash recipes, crockpot recipes, summer soup recipes and more.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, (can sub chicken breast, but need to cook longer)
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning, divided
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper, divided
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
For the alfredo sauce:
- 1 cup water
- 1 lemon, juice of
- 2 cups raw whole cashews
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
For the rest:
- 1 cup bone broth or chicken stock
- 2 zucchini, spiralized into noodles
- Parsley, chopped , (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Make alfredo sauce by placing all of the sauce ingredients in a high powered blender. Blend until smooth and creamy and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add avocado oil and chicken to pan. Season with half the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Sear for 5-6 minutes undisturbed so a brown crust starts to form. Flip and season with the rest of the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove and set on a cutting board.
- While the chicken is cooking, spiralize zucchini and set aside.
- In the same pan, turn heat to low, add bone broth and deglaze the pan. Then, add in the alfredo sauce. Stir continuously to heat up. Prep everything to put it all together.
- Cut chicken into strips or cubes. Serve with a bed of zucchini noodles (you can heat them up for 3-5 minutes over the stove first or serve as is), sliced chicken and drizzle sauce all over. Top with optional parsley for garnish. Enjoy!
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